SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Zonar Named a ‘Best Place to Work’ for Second Year in a Row

A Seattle-area business journal recognizes the fleet management technology supplier and other winners based on current employee satisfaction surveys and award submissions.

August 21, 2018
2 min to read


SEATTLE — Fleet management technology supplier Zonar Systems has been named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the 2018 “Best Places to Work” in the state, after having received a similar honor last year.

This year's recognition from the business journal honors the area's leading employers by looking at current employee satisfaction surveys and award submissions.

"At Zonar, everything starts with an inclusive culture and positive workplace. Our core values come from our employees and our customers — they're more than just placards on the wall, and we live them every day," said Paul Kemp, chief people officer at Zonar. "Our people, focused on our customers, drive the creative solutions that we strive for every day and help us forge new paths through innovation."

The company has over 17 years of experience acting as partners and advisors to commercial fleets and operators. Core tenets of the company include improving every day, competing as a team, making a difference, making customers successful, and valuing one another, all while having fun, according to Zonar.

This year has marked a series of major achievements for Zonar, due to close collaboration within the team, including bolstering the compliance team by hiring commercial vehicle industry veteran Ron Cordova, and announcing new pupil products and grants, in addition to helping managers coach drivers.

Zonar has also focused on giving back this year. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Zonar provided aid by partnering with Advanced Transportation, a school bus contractor serving Puerto Rico, to help rebuild the U.S. territory’s school transportation system. Zonar reportedly helped ensure that 345,000 students could arrive at their schooling locations as safely as possible.

The Puget Sound Business Journal’s Best Workplaces entrants are judged based on the results of an employee survey administered by Quantum Market Research. Hundreds of companies are surveyed each year to determine the region’s top 20 employers in each size category (extra large, large, medium, and small). Finalists received the highest score from employees in their respective size categories based on questions related to job satisfaction, relationships with their bosses, camaraderie with fellow employees, opportunity for advancement, and more.

Companies that made the Puget Sound Business Journal’s list were honored during a ceremony at Seattle Mariners Safeco Field on Thursday.

Zonar was also named a bronze winner of the 2017 Best in Biz Awards for Best Place to Work in the medium companies category in 2017.

More Management

the contractor of the year award logo on an orange background with confetti
Managementby StaffFebruary 2, 2026

Nominations Open for 2026 Contractor of the Year

We're looking for an amazing school bus contractor executive who embodies dedication, excellence, and innovation. Nominate the greats you know for SBF's 2026 award! Nominations close March 31.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 2, 2026

Honoring Heroes Behind the Wheel: Award Nominations Open

Nominations are now open for the second annual 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award. Help us honor the drivers who selflessly dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety, well-being, and success of the students they transport every day.

Read More →
two men stand in front of a school bus in tennessee
ManagementJanuary 30, 2026

A New Chapter for Tennessee Pupil Transportation: A Vision Grounded in Service, Partnership, and Purpose

Check in with Tennessee’s new state transportation manager, Josh Hinerman, as he reflects on his journey, path to leadership, and priorities for student-centered transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A b2x rewards logo and graphic reading "Read. Learn. Earn."
Managementby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards for School Transportation Professionals

The new program rewards B2B audience readers for engaging with trusted content and suppliers, earning them points toward events, travel, and more.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 29, 2026

8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations

What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.

Read More →
Headshots of Heather Free, Regional Director for NAPT Region 3, and Frank Marasco, Regional Director for NAPT Region 6, displayed with NAPT election results graphic.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 28, 2026

NAPT Announces Two New 2026 Regional Directors

NAPT announced the results of its 2026 special election, naming new regional directors for Regions 3 and 6.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet graphic about building better school board relationships, featuring a blurred boardroom meeting.
Managementby Bret E. BrooksJanuary 28, 2026

Building Stronger Partnerships: How School Transportation Can Improve Relationships With School Boards

Strong communication and trust between transportation leaders and school boards are essential to safe, effective operations. Here’s how to build a better partnership.

Read More →
Graphic for NAPT Love the Bus Month reading “Education, Delivered,” with a yellow school bus icon, heart graphics, and the text “February 2026” on a light background.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJanuary 27, 2026

NAPT Releases 2026 Love the Bus Toolkit

Get ready to promote our industry's favorite month of the year! Gear up to recognize Love the Bus Month with these new resources.

Read More →
headshot of eric boule and text next to it that says "five questions with eric boule micro bird" and the school bus fleet logo
ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

5 Questions: Inside Micro Bird’s Market Growth

Let’s check in with the Canadian manufacturer with a new U.S. presence! Hear first-hand about Micro Bird’s expansion and the company’s long-term North American vision.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two young students wait at a bus top while a school bus drives up with text reading "Biz Briefs."
Managementby StaffJanuary 21, 2026

School Bus Business Briefs: Tech Updates & Industry Recognition

From software updates to AI video search, major contracts, and global ratings, here’s the latest school bus supplier and OEM news.

Read More →